Low voltage electrophoretic testing system

ABSTRACT

A low voltage electrophoretic testing system is provided incorporating the various individual components thereof, the system being adapted especially for use with the electrophoresis test kit units, including the various modifications thereof, disclosed and claimed in our copending application, filed even date herewith and entitled &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Electrophoresis Test Kits and Method of Making the Same.

[ Nov. 20, 1973 United States Patent 1 1 Mandle et al.

Cawley m .md mm YR 99 66 99 11 ll 13 LOW VOLTAGE ELECTROPHORETIC 3,421,998

TESTING SYSTEM 3,432,414 3,494,846 2/1970 Arquembourg [75] inventors: Richard Max Mandle, Pompton 3,622,484 11/1971 Lake; Frank Karsai, Dover, both of 3,674,678 7/1972 Post, Jr. et al. NJ.

[73] Assignee: Electro-Nucleonics Laboratories, Primary Examiner-John Mack Inc., Bethesda, Md.

May 12, 1972 Assistant ExaminerA. C. Prescott Attorney.lesse C. Bowyer [22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.: 252,817

A low voltage electrophoretic testing system is pro- 52 US. c1..............................204/299, 204/180 G vided incorporating the various individual components [51] Int. B01k 5/00 thereof, the y tem eing adapted especially for use [58] Field of 204/180 s, 180 G, with the electrophoresis test kit units, including the 204/299 various modifications thereof, disclosed and claimed in our copending application, filed even date herewith and entitled Electrophoresis Test Kits and Method of Making the Same.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,396,096 8/1968 Belote et 204/299 39 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SHEET 10F 5 PATENTED NOV 20 I973 1 LOW VOLTAGE ELECTROPHORETIC TESTING SYSTEM Such electrophoresis test kit units include an integral gel or gel-like unit, preferably of U-shape, and having relatively thick elongated gel legs and a relatively thinner integral bridging gel layer, the bridging gel unit being formed with integral wells, preferably in matched or paired rows. The entire gel unit is preferably hermetically sealed to prevent syneresis and contamination.

The system of the invention provides a preferably adjustable constant current, constant voltage supply for electrodes which extend into electrolyte compartments.

The electrolyte compartments are adapted for insertion therein of the lower portions of the gel legs, the integral gel unit of the test kit serving to complete the electrical path of the system and provide electrophoretic migration for testing.

RELATED U. S. APPLICATION DATA Application filed even date herewith entitled Electrophoresis Test Kits and Methods of Making Same." U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 252,639.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electrophoretic test systems, including the coactive components thereof, which produce an adjustable low electrical voltage, accurately controllable and preferably constant as to voltage and amperage.

Thetesting of fluids such as blood sera and similr sera, or other similar liquids, for analytic and research purposes has increased many hundred-fold in recent years and, as a-consequence, a large variety of systems for testing such sera, both qualitatively and quantitatively, have been investigated and produced by the prior art.

Among the most promising of such systems is that generally denominated as electrophoresis. In its' most generic sense electrophoresis is a process involving the movement of a charged particle suspended in a liquid due to the presence of an electrical field in electrically coacting relationship with the particle.

While a variety of systems are available to the researcher or to clinical testing personnel in the generic field of electrophoresis, those systems which have been found to be generally most attractive from the standpoint of economics and of dependability, i.e., reproduceable results, and of similar desirable features have related to what is generally designated as gel electrophoresis or gellified immunoelectrophoresis.

The generic term double diffusion is commonly used to describe gel tests, whether such tests are electrophoretic in nature or not, wherein two components, capable of reaction with each other, are placed in contiguous wells, or other similar openings, contained within a gel layer. In such systems the forces of movement cause the two components to diffuse in a generally universal direction; hence, if the starting wells are placed sufficiently close together, the materials placed therein will meet at a boundary line. At this line the materials may, if properly selected, precipitate and form a precipitin line, or they may form one or more boundary lines of long chain agglutinated molecules. In most cases, these boundary lines are visible to the naked eye, and, if they are not, they can be made visible or-their position determined by known methods. Such an immunodiffusion process, when occurring in an applied electrical field, is generally termed immunoelectrophoresis.

In systems utilizing such electrophoresis, a first composition is placed in a well which is formed in a layer of gel and a second composition is placed in an adjacent, or paired well formed in the same layer of gel. By placing the two wells between sources of opposite electrical polarities the materials in the wells are caused to migrate towards each other through the gel. If, for example, one of the materials is an antigen, hereinafter referred to as Ag, and the other material is an antibody, hereinafter referred to as Ab, and these materials are reactive with each other, then ifAb is placed in one well and Ag is placed in the other paired well, and an electrical field is positioned with the wells placed therein between sources of opposite polarity so as to cause the migration of the Ag and Ab towards each other, there will be a position or band of positions in the gel layer in which the molecules of these two meet. If, as stated, Ab and Ag are mutually reactive, then a detectable precipitin line or lines will form wherever the Ag and Ab meet. Such a line or lines may be straight or acruate, depending upon the conditions utilized.

Accordingly, sucli a system of electrophoresis may be used to analyze known Ab against unknown Ag and vice-versa, in order, to determine the identities or presences thereof.

As one specific example of such a material which is commonly tested, reference is made to Hepatitisassociated (Australian) Antigen (HAA). This antigen is associated with the disease generally called Serum Hepatitis, in contrast to Viral Hepatitis. It has only been in the most recent years that the wide prevalence of Serum Hepatitis has become fully evident. Studies made in this field indicate that the so-called Australian Ag (HAA) is associated with the causative agent for Serum Hepatitis.

Since Serum Hepatitis and HAA are more prevalent in the blood of professional donors or in the blood of individuals who have been subjected to frequent exposure to hypodermic techniques, it is becoming increasingly important before transfusion of blood'to human patients that all such supplies of blood be tested to make certain they are not contaminated with Serum Heptatis.

It is essential to the utilization of such tests that an accurate testing system for supply of electrolyte and electricity be available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses and embraces a system for rapid utilization by relatively inexperienced technicians which furnishes a low voltage electrophoretic testing system, providing an electrical system which is capable of the simultaneous supply of preferably adjustable, preferably constant current, preferably constant voltage electricity to a plurality of simultaneously operating electrolyte cells each of which is of compact unique construction for coaction with the test units of the above discussed copendingapplication or with any electrophoretic test unit which is of similar shape.

The invention provides an electrode supporting structure which is minimal in size and simultaneously provides support for a unique baffle structure, whose baffles also serve as electrode shields.

Means are provided for locating the test kit units in properly oriented position as to the wells thereof and for supporting the test unit in operative position. Also provided is an alternative embodiment incorporating means to transmit light directly to the test well site during the electrophoretic test run.

Obviously, since I-IAA and similar electrophoretic tests must be performed in the millions, it is equally essential that a test apparatus and system be available therefor which is economical, dependable as to repeatability, and capable of efficient operation by relatively inexperienced personnel. This is accomplished by the present invention by simultaneously minimizing the chances of danger to such personnel from both the electrical portion of the equipment and the possibly infectious material containing portions thereof.

The test kit units of the invention of the copending application are preferably so inexpensive that they are single-use units; i.e., the enire test kit may be discarded after a single test run.

A large variety of gel materials may be utilized in the test kit units described herein. The most common gel for such use is an agar or agarose which has been buffered with a mildly alkaline buffer such as a tris buffer or a barbituate buffer or the like. Additional known gel-like materials having such utility for electrophoretic purposes are silica, pectin, starch, acrylamide, agaracrylamide, etc. However, the use of agar is generally recommended because of its relative inexpensiveness and of its availability, if desired, in pure form. Additionally, it should be noted that the percentage of water in gelled agar is extremely high, so that the gel agar does not offer high molecular sieve resistance to the migration of particles therethrough. Accordingly, buffered purified agar or agarose gel is the preferred material for use in the present invention.

For a more complete description of such gels, including the details of manufacture and composition thereof, reference is made to lmmunoelectrophoretic Analysis by Pierre Grabar, Methods of Biochemical Analysis, Volume VII, pages 3-12 (1959), Immunodiffusion and lmmunoelectrophoresis by. Orjan Ouchterlony, Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Inc., pages 4-8 (1968), Method in Immunology and Immunochemistry, edited by Williams and Chase, Academic Press, Volume II, Appendix II, and Volume III, pages ll8-l98 and 237-292 and 357-365 (1971).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the overall electrophoretic testing system with a test kit unit in operable position;

I FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the combined timer and constant current unit and electrolyte compartmental housing of the testing system;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the overall housing unit for the constant current and timer unit and electrode and electrolyte tank with the units carried thereby removed;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the electrode and electrolyte compartment with a means for illuminating the test unit;

4 FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow diagram of the electrical components of the system of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is made to the figures of the drawing, wherein the overall electrophoretic test system, indicated in its entirety at 10, is illustrated with the electrophoresis test kit unit of the copending application, indicated in its entirety at 100, in position on the test system for a test run. Basically, such a system includes a supply contained within a housing 1 1 of standard alternating current voltage of l l0l 20 volts which is fed to a step-down, isolation, transformer producing up to, for

example 30 volts AC output, and then to an AC/DC rectifier, which feeds a'plurality of controllable outputs, each of which connects to a separate voltage outlet 14, 14, each outlet having, for example, an adjustable available voltage of less than '30 volts of DC potential, such voltage being capable of regulation, such as over a range of about 15 to about 30 volts. It is to be understood, however, that the voltage available at each of the outlets l4, l4 mayrange from O to about 30 volts or over a similar preset desired range, the outlets being connected in parallel electrical relationship.

This series of connecting sockets or outlets l4, 14 is preferably provided on the front panel of supply unit 11. Each of these outlets is connected, by appropriate leads, indicated at 12, to a separate control and timer unit housing 13 and to an electrode unit 15 and carried by a housing member 17, forming a separate electrophoretic electrical supply unit 20 for each test kit unit being run.

Each control and timer unit 13 produces for a desired time set by a manual or other timer of any appropriate type known to the prior art and controlled by a settable knob, indicated at 19, a constant current output. One preferred embodiment of such a constant current system includes a bridge arrangement in which one of the legs of the bridge constitutes a measuring resistance, the output of the bridge being utilized to control an amplifier, which, in turn, controls the output available from this unit and maintains such output at, for example, l9 milliamps, plus or minus one.

In Agar Gel Electrophoresis by R. J. Wieme, Elvisier Publishers, page 72 (1965) there is shown an adjustablev constant current and constant voltage supply whose general circuitry is suitable for use in electrophoretic systems such as that of the invention. It is to be understood that any conventional constant current and any conventional constant voltage circuitry may be utilized, as may be any known conventional voltage and/or current adjustment means. Each of the constant current and timer units 13, best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has electrically connected to the output thereof two preferably cylindrical electrodes 21 and 22, formed of material such as porous carbon or the like, and these are substantially contained within an electrolyte compartment 24 forming a part of the preferably integrally formed housing member 17. The housing member 17, preferably cast or molded from a noncorrosive plastic, has a first vertical wall 26 which carries in fluid sealing relation electrodes 21 and 22 and which divides this compartment 24 from the other or outer compartment 28 containing the timer and control elements electrically connected to the electrodes by sockets 23, 23 or the like. The entire housing member 17 has a base wall 30 having an outer compartment portion 31 and an electrolyte compartment portion 31, which are shown as being on different levels, but may be uniplanar if de sired. The base wall 31 and side walls 32 and 33 of the outer compartment preferably frictionally support the power control unit 13 in oriented position with the electrodes connected thereto and sealingly extending into the forward electrolyte compartment 24 through wall26, any suitable form of sealing being utilized.

The electrolyte compartment 24 is provided with side walls 35, 36 having substantially equal height and an end wall 38, also, preferably of the same height, as is wall 26. Walls 26, 31, 35,36'and 38 define the electrolyte compartment, leaving an open top thereto, indicated at 40. 7

Unit 17 is supported at appropriate portions of bottom wall 30 by legs 39, 39, if desired. These legs may be formed of electrically insulative material as are preferably all of the above described walls.

Positioned within-the electrolyte compartment 24 is a second vertical, longitudinal dividing'wall 42 positioned substantially at right angles to first vertical wall 26, as'best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and which is joined to walls 30, 26 and 38 in fluid sealing relation and may be integrally formed therewith. The electrolyte tank 24 is thus divided into two electrolyte compartments or tanks 44 and 46, one for each of the electrodes 21 and 22, one of which is an anode and the other of which is a cathode. v

This second vertical wall 42, which is longitudinally extending in the direction of.the axes of the electrodes 21 and 22, as shown, electrically isolates these two electrodes from each other, so as to divide the forward compartment into these two side-by-side separate liquid proof compartments 44 and 46. Both of these compartments are filled to or near the top thereof with an appropriate electrolyte solution, containing an appropriate buffer,'the composition of the solution being compatible with the selected test. As explained, one side compartment and the electrode and electrolyte contained therein are of positive polarity, while the opposite side compartment and the electrode and electrolyte contained therein are of opposite, negative polarity, the choice of polarity being optional.

Positioned adjacent the bottom ,of the electrolyte compartment 24 contiguous to wall 26 is a vertically extending member 50 extending parallel to wall 26 and which member 50 may have formed as part thereof a slot 51 for wall 42 and support saddles 52, 54 for electrodes 21 and 22. Also formed thereon are slots 56 and 58. A member 60 substantially identical to member 50 is positioned adjacent and parallel to wall 38 within compartment 24, member 60 having slots and saddles similar to those of member 50. Members 50 and 60 may be integrally formed with the wall elements 26 and 28 respectively, if desired; they serveas supports for the electrodes 21 and 22, for dividing wall 42 and for a baffle and electrode shield member 62, preferably formed of transparent, electrically insulative, plastic material, which member serves as a baffle member for directing convection circulation of the electrolyte around the electrodes 21 and 22 which it shields.

Member 62 has an upper horizontally extending shelf or wall 64 supported on the top 66 of dividing-wall 42. Generally vertical baffle legs 68 and 69 extend downwardly from sheld 64 and, as shown, preferably have slanting portions 70 and ,72 and outer vertical portions 74 and 76 which fit into slots 56 and 58 and their mating slots at the opposite ends of tank 24. Circulation holes for the electrolyte and heat, indicated at 80, are provided and the electrolyte is free to circulate bevtween the top of bottom wall 31 and the bottoms 77, .78 of vertical legs 68 and 69. If desired, holes 82 and 84 may be provided in shield 62 to frictionally fit on pegs 86 and 88 formed on top 66 of wall 42. Legs 68 and 69 diverge downwardly.

- Holes also serve as escape vents for any gases which may be evolved at or near the surfaces of electrodes 21 and 22. v

The tops 90 and 92 of side walls 35 and 36 preferably serve as supports for the test kit units of the present invention during the actual electrophoretic test runs; the shelf 64 may also be used for support purposes. A projection or the like, indicated at 94, is provided on one of the walls to provide a registration positioning means for insuring positioning of the test kit units in proper orientation relative to the cathodic and anodic tanks.

A preferred embodiment of the test kit, particularly for use in hepatitis testing, is partially shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and is indicated in its entirety at 100. This test unit includes a plate 102 which plate having an upper surface 107 and a lower surface 108 extends generally horizontally, and has formed thereon a locating means, shown here as a recess or notch 104, which coacts with the described projection 94 or the like formed on one of the walls of the compartment. This is done so that the test kit must be properly positioned with the wells 106, 107 thereof in proper polarity relationship with the electrolyte tanks 44 and 46 containing electrodes 21 and 22 of opposite polarity.

The test kit 100, which in a preferredembodiment is expendable and is molded from plastic components, in-

cludes two, spaced'depending gel legs 110 and 112 which are interconnected by an integral gel bridge 114 forming an integralgel unit. The gel legs 110 and 112 are in the form of relatively large blocks having their largerhorizontal dimension generally parallel to the rows of the wells l06, which wells are formed in gel bridge layer 114 under passages .170 in plate 102, as explained fully in theisaid copending application.

The plastic legs l28'and 129 which depend downward from plate 102 into electrolyte compartments 44 and 46 respectively are, when the test kit unit is being used in an electrophoretic test run, open at the bottoms 130 thereof so as to provide free egress of the electrolytes to the integral gel unit, including legs 110 and 112 and interconnecting gel bridge layer 114, closed or covered at the top to prevent contamination.

It will be understood that the level of electrolyte in compartments 44 and 46 is maintained at a sufficient height during electrophoretic operation, to immerse a substantial portion of legs 128 and 129 to insure electrolyte circulation through the gel unit during the electrophoretic test run duration. As explained fully in the copending application, the integral gel unit forms a low electrical resistance to the flow of current, so that heat loss and evaporation are minimized.

The plate and tank 24 are preferably so dimensioned that there is virtually no space left at 40 or elsewhere for the inadvertent insertion of the fingers of inexperienced technicians. The extensions 156 and 158 aid in this goal. The use of the low voltage and amperage described herein further reduces the chances of injury to personnel operating the system.

It will be seen that each cell 24 has a continuous electrical flow path of low electrical resistance comprising the first electrode 21, the buffered electrolyte in compartment 44, the integral gel unit including legs 110 and 112 and bridge layer 114, all substantially saturated with electrolyte, the buffered electrolyte in compartment 46 and electrode 22.

While volts is adequate to effectively operate the system at the start of the electrical electrophoretic test run, the electrical supply is capable of being increased to 30 volts during the run if necessary to maintain a substantially constant voltage gradient in the gel in the vicinity of the wells, particularly between pairs of wells. This is frequently necessary because the formation of undesirable byproducts of electrolysis increases the resistance halating around the outer surfaces of the electrodes.

Shield 62 helps to insure that any such products fall by gravity to the floor of the electrolyte compartments and are not freely circulated to increase possible contamination or dirtying of the equipment.

in use a well sealing cover is first removed and the left hand wells are filled with a patients sera and the right hand wells are filled with antisera which will react with the sera during the electrophoretic test run if they are mutually reactive to form a centrally located precipitin line.

Each well 106 generally has an identical well 106 paired therewith to form a well pair. Generally, as shown, there is a control pair ofwells at one end of the test unit in order to provide the user with a simple and accurate means of determining that the unit is functioning properly and to demonstrate the preferred reaction and precipitin line between the components contained in the wells.

The test unit is then placed astride the electrolyte dividing wall shelf 64 on the tops 90 and 92 of the side walls 35 and 36, and, if desired, on the tops of the end walls 26, 28 with the locating notch 104 in the proper position relative to element 94. The timer and voltage control units and properly set and the necessary electrical connections and adjustments are made to provide the desired electrical field and field gradient across the gel bridge 114, the test kit unit wells and gel bridge being covered preferably.

In actual practice, it has been found that optimum electrophoresis of Serum Hepatitis Ag and Ab occurs with a voltage gradient between the wells 106, 106 of approximately 6 volts per centimeter. With the system described thus far, including wells spaced approxi-v mately 0.6 centimeters apart, the minimum potential which can provide such a voltage gradient is about 15 volts. The system, as explained above, can provide up to 30 volts maximum, so that an excess over the required initial 15 volts is available, as needed, to com pensate for the described polarization of the electrodes and electrolytic decomposition of the electrolyte in the electrolytic tanks. The constant current regulating device described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and connected in series with the 3.0 volt power supply and the electrolyte tanks and the gel path, functions to maintain the desired 6 volt per centimeter gradient between the well sites and is adjustable It will be appreciated that this system is operated at a much lower voltage than most of the systems of the prior art, such prior art systems generally operating at about at least 100 volts and generally at about 200 to about 300 volts. Hence, the danger of electrical shock to the operator is lessened to such a degree as to be virtually negligible. As explained above, when the test unit is positioned on top of the wall of the electrolyte tank compartments, straddling the top wall 64 of the shield 62, with one leg immersed in the anode compartment and the other leg immersed in the cathode compartment, there is formed a closed electrical circuit through the power supply, the electrodes, the electrolyte tanks, the agar or other gel blocks and the preferably integral agar or other gel bridge.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 there is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention which enables the operator of the system to observe much more distinctly, while the electrophoretic test is actually being run, the wells 106 and the gel bridge layer 114 portions therebetween to better notice or, if desired, photograph the precipitin or the like formation. Sucn enhanced observation of test run results in situ during therun may also be utilized to determine the desirability of varying one or more of the parameters of operation.

The overall housing unit 127 is substantially similar to previously described unit 27 and includes a transverse vertical wall 26 having openings through which electrodes 121 and 122 extend, these elements corresponding, respectively, to 26, 21 and 22 of the first em bodiment. In like manner electrolyte compartments 144 and 146 correspond to compartments 44 and 46 and walls 130, 131, 131', 135, 136, and 138 correspond respectively to the walls 30, 31, 31, 35, 36 and 38 of the first embodiment. Legs 139 are similar to 39.

Saddle supports 150 and 160 and their elements are substantially similar to and and the components thereof described above. All of the parts 164, 168, 169, 170, 172, 174, 176, 177 and 178 of baffle and shield member 162 correspond to member 62 and its ele- I ments.

Positioned, however, beneath bottom wall 131 of compartment 124, is a low heat source of illumination, indicated at 180, which is preferably a monochromatic light source, such as sealed tungsten filaments, connected to asuitable source of operating voltage, not

shown, such as volts AC, preferably through any conventional switch, not shown.

Preferably positioned on each side of the light source with their axes generally parallel thereto are inclined reflectors 182 and 184. Vertical, longitudinal wall 142 serves as a light pipe and is made from material such as lucite for this purpose. it may be coated with opaque layers 143. It is understood that plate 102 may be opaque so that the light directed up pipe 142 illuminates gel layer 114 in sharp constant thereto. Also the shelf 164 may be a light pipe open upwardly at its ends 167, 167 to conduct light laterally to layer 114 against a dark background.

FIG. 8 shows schematically a simplified flow diagram of the electrical circuitry of the system of the invention, it being understood that all of the individual components are conventional in the known art.

Housing unit 11 connects the line voltage source 210 with an isolation transformer 220 which produces preferably 30 volts AC output'which is fed to an AC to DC rectifier or the like 230.

The 30 volt DC output of the rectifier 230 is preferably fed to a plurality, here shown as six, of parallel connected, individual variable voltage regulators 241 through 246. If desired, a single variable voltage regulator may be substituted for this plurality.

The outputs of regulators 241 through 246.appear at previously described output sockets l4, 14', shown as six in number and these are separately connected, as previously described, to the six corresponding timer and constant current housing units l3, 13, also shown here as six in number. These units have, as described, individually settable timers. They may also each have a separate and separately adjustable constant current regulator of any suitable type known in the art. Units 13 feed preferably 19 milliamps to the six individual electrode pairs 21, 22 and 21', 22', etc., each pair of electrodes being connected electrically through their surrounding electrolytes and the gel unit of the test set during an electrophoretic run.

As shown in FIG. 1, unit 11 has associated'therewith a suitable switch 310,'having a number of positions 320, 320', one for each outlet 14, 14. Switch 310 selectively connects by standard means, not shown, an ammeter or voltmeter 330, having a scale and pointer 340, to each of the cell units, so that an operator may monitor the cells as desired during the electrophoretic run.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrophoretic testing apparatus, comprising, in combination,

a unitary structure having a base wall,

a first vertical wall dividing said structure into an electrolyte compartment having a length and into an outer compartment,

two horizontally spaced, substantially parallel, rigid and clyindrical electrodes extending supportably through said first vertical wall in fluid-sealing relation therewith and extending substantially throughout the said length of said electrolyte compartment,

a second vertical wall positioned generally parallel to said first vertical wall and spaced therefrom by substantially said length,

two parallel side walls joined to saidbase wall and said two vertical-walls in fluid-sealing relation,

a third vertical wall extending substantially parallel to said electrodes and positioned within said electrolyte compartment between said electrodes and dividing said electrolyte compartment into two sideby-side electrolyte compartments,

each of said side-by-side compartments containing one of said electrodes, and

a supporting saddle member for said electrodes positioned adjacent to and parallel to said second vertical wall.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first vertical wall has positioned substantially adjacent and parallel thereto a second supporting saddle member for said electrodes.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first saddle member is integral with said second vertical wall.

4. The combination of claim 4 wherein said second saddle member is integral with said first vertical wall.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said parallel side walls have separate top surfaces adapted to support an electrophoresis test kit unit.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte compartment has positioned thereon orienting means adapted to insure properly oriented positioning of an electrophoresis test kit unit positionable thereon.

. 7. The combination of claim 7 wherein at least one of said top surfaces has a vertical projection thereon, said projection serving to orient said supported test kit unit.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein a baffle and shield member is positioned substantially within said electrolyte compartment.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said third vertical wall has a top surface and said baffle and shield member is supported on said top surface on said third vertical wall.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said top surface has projections and said baffle and shield member has passages adapted to frictionally fit over said projections.

11. The combination of claim 8 wherein said baffle and shield member has a substantially horizontal top shelf wall and a depending vertical wall supported from each edge of said shelf wall.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said vertical walls diverge downwardly.

13. The combination of claim 14 wherein each separate diverging portion of said baffle and shield member walls substantially covers one of said electrodes.

14. The combination of claim 43 wherein said saddle member has two spaced positoning slots, and said electrolyte chamber has positioned therein a baffle and shield member having separate diverging vertical leg portions, each of said separate leg portions being positioned within a separate one of said slots.

15. The combination of claim 43 wherein each of said saddle members has two spaced positioning slots, and said electrolyte chamber has positioned therein a baffle and shield member having separate diverging vertical leg portions, the opposite ends of said leg portions being separately positioned within a separate one of said slots. l

16. The combination of claim 14 wherein said diverging leg portions have separate leg portion ends each terminating a spaced distance from said base wall.

17. The combination of claim 15 wherein said diverging leg portions have separate leg portion ends each terminating a spaced distance fromsaid base wall.

18. The combination of claim 8 wherein said baffle and shield member is formed of transparent electrically insulative material.

19. The combination of claim 8 wherein said baffle and shield member has formed therein at least one gas and heat escape passage.

20. The combination of claim 1 wherein a light source is positioned beneath said base wall. 3

24. The combination of claim 20 wherein said third vertical wall constitutes a light conductor.

22. The combination of claim 21 wherein reflective surfaces are positioned angularly adjacent to said light source.

23. The combination of claim 21 wherein said third vertical wall and a horizontal shelf wall on the top of said baffle and shield member have opaque surfaces adapted to provide dark background illumination for said electrophoresis test kit unit.

24. The combination of claim 1 wherein said outer compartment has two vertical side walls, and a timer and a substantially constant direct current housing unit is positioned within said compartment.

25. The combination of claim 24 wherein said outer compartment side walls frictionally engage said housing unit.

26. The combination of claim 24 wherein said housing unit has two horizontally spaced electrical sockets and each of said electrodes has a separate end for electrical connection for each separate one of said sockets.

27. The combination of claim 24 wherein said housing unit has an adjustable timing setting knob positioned thereon.

28. The combination of claim 24 wherein said hous ing unit has positioned therein a direct current adjusting circuit.

29. The combination of claim 24 wherein said housing unit has an electrical connection, and

a source of substantially constant substantially low direct current voltage in series with said electrical connection.

30. The combination of claim 29 wherein said voltage source is adjustable.

31. The combination of claim 29 wherein said direct current voltage source is series connected to a rectifier and to a step-down transformer.

12 32. The combination of claim 30 wherein a plurality of separate substantially constant current units are separately parallel connected to said voltage source.

33. The combination of claim 31 wherein a plurality 1 of separate substantially constant current units are separately parallel connected to said rectifier.

34. The combination of claim 32, wherein an electrical measuring device is provided together with means to selectively connect said device to each of said units.

35. The combination of claim 33 wherein an electrical measuring device is provided together with means to selectively connect said device to each of said units.

36. The combination of claim 34 wherein said measuring instrument is current responsive.

37. The combination of claim 34 wherein said measuring instrument is voltage responsive.

38. The combination of claim 32 wherein said voltage source includes separate means to individually adjust the voltage to each of said units.

39. The combination of claim 30 wherein said voltage source is adjustable from about 15 volts to about 

1. An electrophoretic testing apparatus, comprising, in combination, a unitary structure having a base wall, a first vertical wall dividing said structure into an electrolyte compartment having a length and into an outer compartment, two horizontally spaced, substantially parallel, rigid and clyindrical electrodes extending supportably through said first vertical wall in fluid-sealing relation therewith and extending substantially throughout the said length of said electrolyte compartment, a second vertical wall positioned generally parallel to said first vertical wall and spaced therefrom by substantially said length, two parallel side walls joined to said base wall and said two vertical walls in fluid-sealing relation, a third vertical wall extending substantially parallel to said electrodes and positioned within said electrolyte compartment between said electrodes and dividing said electrolyte compartment into two side-by-side electrolyte compartments, each of said side-by-side compartments containing one of said electrodes, and a supporting saddle member for said electrodes positioned adjacent to and parallel to said second vertical wall.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first vertical wall has positioned substantially adjacent and parallel thereto a second supporting saddle member for said electrodes.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first saddle member is integral with said second vertical wall.
 4. The combination of claim 4 wherein said second saddle member is integral with said first vertical wall.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said parallel side walls have separate top surfaces adapted to support an electrophoresis test kit unit.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte compartment has positioned thereon orienting means adapted to insure properly oriented positioning of an electrophoresis tEst kit unit positionable thereon.
 7. The combination of claim 7 wherein at least one of said top surfaces has a vertical projection thereon, said projection serving to orient said supported test kit unit.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein a baffle and shield member is positioned substantially within said electrolyte compartment.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said third vertical wall has a top surface and said baffle and shield member is supported on said top surface on said third vertical wall.
 10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said top surface has projections and said baffle and shield member has passages adapted to frictionally fit over said projections.
 11. The combination of claim 8 wherein said baffle and shield member has a substantially horizontal top shelf wall and a depending vertical wall supported from each edge of said shelf wall.
 12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said vertical walls diverge downwardly.
 13. The combination of claim 14 wherein each separate diverging portion of said baffle and shield member walls substantially covers one of said electrodes.
 14. The combination of claim 43 wherein said saddle member has two spaced positoning slots, and said electrolyte chamber has positioned therein a baffle and shield member having separate diverging vertical leg portions, each of said separate leg portions being positioned within a separate one of said slots.
 15. The combination of claim 43 wherein each of said saddle members has two spaced positioning slots, and said electrolyte chamber has positioned therein a baffle and shield member having separate diverging vertical leg portions, the opposite ends of said leg portions being separately positioned within a separate one of said slots.
 16. The combination of claim 14 wherein said diverging leg portions have separate leg portion ends each terminating a spaced distance from said base wall.
 17. The combination of claim 15 wherein said diverging leg portions have separate leg portion ends each terminating a spaced distance from said base wall.
 18. The combination of claim 8 wherein said baffle and shield member is formed of transparent electrically insulative material.
 19. The combination of claim 8 wherein said baffle and shield member has formed therein at least one gas and heat escape passage.
 20. The combination of claim 1 wherein a light source is positioned beneath said base wall.
 21. The combination of claim 20 wherein said third vertical wall constitutes a light conductor.
 22. The combination of claim 21 wherein reflective surfaces are positioned angularly adjacent to said light source.
 23. The combination of claim 21 wherein said third vertical wall and a horizontal shelf wall on the top of said baffle and shield member have opaque surfaces adapted to provide dark background illumination for said electrophoresis test kit unit.
 24. The combination of claim 1 wherein said outer compartment has two vertical side walls, and a timer and a substantially constant direct current housing unit is positioned within said compartment.
 25. The combination of claim 24 wherein said outer compartment side walls frictionally engage said housing unit.
 26. The combination of claim 24 wherein said housing unit has two horizontally spaced electrical sockets and each of said electrodes has a separate end for electrical connection for each separate one of said sockets.
 27. The combination of claim 24 wherein said housing unit has an adjustable timing setting knob positioned thereon.
 28. The combination of claim 24 wherein said housing unit has positioned therein a direct current adjusting circuit.
 29. The combination of claim 24 wherein said housing unit has an electrical connection, and a source of substantially constant substantially low direct current voltage in series with said electrical connection.
 30. The combination of claim 29 wherein said voltage source is adjustable.
 31. The combination of claim 29 wherein said direct current voltage source is series connected to a rectifier and to a step-down transformer.
 32. The combination of claim 30 wherein a plurality of separate substantially constant current units are separately parallel connected to said voltage source.
 33. The combination of claim 31 wherein a plurality of separate substantially constant current units are separately parallel connected to said rectifier.
 34. The combination of claim 32, wherein an electrical measuring device is provided together with means to selectively connect said device to each of said units.
 35. The combination of claim 33 wherein an electrical measuring device is provided together with means to selectively connect said device to each of said units.
 36. The combination of claim 34 wherein said measuring instrument is current responsive.
 37. The combination of claim 34 wherein said measuring instrument is voltage responsive.
 38. The combination of claim 32 wherein said voltage source includes separate means to individually adjust the voltage to each of said units.
 39. The combination of claim 30 wherein said voltage source is adjustable from about 15 volts to about 30 volts. 